Four categories of pride.

No other sin is as closely related to the work of the enemy as the sin of pride. In fact we see it in the fall of Satan as set forth in the Word of God. Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, Son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground which did weakest the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be the like the most High.

All pride stems from our heart and causes us to become the Gods of our own lives. When pride creeps into our heart, we desire to become like God, yet in control of our life….not in His supreme character.

Every instance of pride falls into one of four categories.

1.When I begin to assume responsibilities and character traits which belong to God.

2.Looking to someone or something to fulfill the needs that only God can give.

3.Holding onto things which rightly belong to God

4.Neglecting or rejecting to do what God has rightly told me to do.

1. I fall into pride when I begin to assume responsibilities which ultimately belong to God.

No believer is self sufficient. If you could of saved yourself, there would be no need for a Savior. The attributes of God are what separate Him from us. His perfect holiness and righteousness allow Him to be not only sovereign over our life, but He alone is the one we are to subscribe all glory to.

Yet in our moments of weakness and within the desires of our flesh, our sinful pride likes to take over aspects of life that belong to God.

God is our Protector-Jehovah Nissi-The Lord is our banner. He alone gives us the victory, so why should we desire not to be under His mighty arm, and lead by Him into battle? Exodus 17:15

God is the Judge- We as believers are called to be consumed with compassion and doing all we can to reach the lost within our families and communities. However this is hindered when we become not only the judge of their salvation experience or whether or not they deserve salvation. It is also not our responsibility to openly, or secretly judge those who are either away from God, or not living up to our salvation experience and testimony. Isaiah 33:22, Acts 10:42

God is our Provider -Jehovah Jireh-The name means “the God who provides.” Just as He provided yesterday, He will provide for today and tomorrow. Genesis 22:9-14

God is Sovereign- God is in complete control of creation, and our lives. It is by this attribute that we know that God must be all knowing and all powerful.1 Chronicles 29:11-13

God is our Counselor- All of Gods acts toward and direction given to believers, are done in perfect and infinite wisdom. He always acts for our good, which is to conform us to the image of Christ. Proverbs 3:19-20

Have you allowed God to be:

Provider

Protector

Judge

Savior

Counsellor

Sustainer

Guide

2. The second manifestation of pride in my life, is when I purposefully make the decision to look towards someone or something to fulfill the needs only which God can supply.

If you attending a church today, or serving God because you want a better life, or a better outlook, or to become a better version of yourself….that’s not service or worship, that is idolatry. We serve and worship Him because He alone is worthy of all honour, glory, and praise.

Many of us seek for value, worth and acceptance in every area of our lives from friends, acquaintances, and peers. However a believer must first recognize where our worth, value and acceptance comes from. Ephesians 5:19-23 And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places, Far above all principality,and power and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave him tombe the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

No amount of accolades or entourage can ever bring you value, esteem or worth. As believers, we place our value not upon what we own, but upon our position in Christ. We are more than conquerors through Christ, and His provision and direction should be enough for us. Phillipians 4:11-12 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased. And I know how to abound: everywhere and In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I want to make one fast statement concerning contentment in the life of a believer. As Christians our job is to magnify Christ in all that we do. We are to be content in what we receive regarding provision for living, yet we should never be content concerning what it is we are accomplishing for the work of the Lord. We can always do more. I do not think we will get to heaven and Christ will tell us we took serving Him to serious.

Her are just a few verses of scripture to remind us of our need to come to God alone for God to provide for us.

Jeremiah 33:3-Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.

Matthew 6:3- But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you

Phillipians 4:19-But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus

Psalms 37:25-I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Who or what have you allowed to provide for you in your life?

Worth, acceptance, and value

Salvation

Sanctification

Security

Healing

Provision

Protection

Help

Peace

3. The third manifestation of pride in my life is when I make a deliberate decision to hold onto things that belong to God

Far too many of us have been taught that the Christian life is based upon what church we attend, who we fellowship with, and what many may call churchianity. Yet the Christian life is supposed to be based upon followship, who we follow has a far greater impact on our lives than what we follow.

Luke 9:23-24 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Following Christ will cost you everything that you have been programmed by the worlds philosophy to hang onto. Our treasures and home are not of this world, so why then should we cling to them? We need to become focused on living the life that Christ wants for us.

Many of us are focused on three areas of our life. They are what we desire to be, do and have. Yet if our goals, dreams, desires, life and time are not based upon what God deems is best for me, then we simply fail the grace that God has bestowed upon us.

Galatians 2:20-I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son Of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Collosians 3:2-Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

A quick and easy way to see where your affections and desires are , is to look at your calendar and checkbook and see who or what gets most of your time and finances. We spend money and time on those things we follow after.

Have you resisted giving God?

Possessions

Friends

Families

Future plans

Music and media

Ministry goals

Emotions

Health and welfare

4. The fourth manifestation of pride in my life is when I deliberately neglect and reject to do that which God has called me to do.

The key to living the successful and fruitful Christian life can easily be summed up in three simple words…submission, humility, and obedience. Yet you can’t be any obedient without first being submissive and humble. The same goes for any combination of those three words. However, we often choose to do what we deem is Gods will for our life without first discerning what God really wants for us, or seeking wise council.

Proverbs 14:12-There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

James 4:6-10 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Can you be willing to be made willing? And if so can you be willing to simply answer Gods call for your life?

Have you rejected?

Christs death on the cross

Denial of self

Forgiving others regardless of how you were wronged

Embracing suffering

Prayer and meditation

Witnessing

Call to full time service

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